Here are the top ten tips for gay passengers. These tips will help with some of the unforeseen challenges for the cruise newbie and a good reminder for the seasoned cruiser. Not all the tips are specifically for gay passengers but all the tips are good for everyone.

I’m gay and I know it: If you are a couple and you want to dance with each other at the club or hold hands while your walking on the deck on a moonlit night or give your partner a kiss over a candlelight dinner then do it. My experience has been very positive on our cruises and the cruise lines are very accommodating and supportive of their gay customers.

Pack liked Diana Ross? On our first cruise my partner and I packed like we were doing a worldwide music tour. Too much! A good rule is to pack then only take half. We like to pack 3 outfits for excursion days. Casual, swimming, and then a fabulous evening look. Then on sea days we pack two outfits for swimming and a fabulous evening look.

Looking Fabulous: Although we love to look fabulous rocking a t-shirt and jeans we still like to dress to the nines (formal gowns and tuxedos) for ships’ formal nights and for dancing in the clubs. People do dress in business attire (suits or, high-end club clothes for men – flowing pants suits or dresses — for women). If you love to dress up, it’s always appreciated and it will get you the attention you love.

An extra day or two: You should always arrive a day or two earlier at the embarkation city for your cruise. If you wait to arrive on the day of embarkation you risk delays from a flight, train, or highway that could cause you to miss the ship.

Debarkation: You should also book your flight home at the latest time possible from the final port city. Debarkation usually begins early in the morning but remember there will be thousands of people leaving the ship within a few hours of each other and there can be delays. Ideally, staying an extra day will assure you don’t miss your flight.

Keep all important documents with you: Always make sure you pack your necessary IDs and cruise documents — and never pack them in your checked luggage. You’ll want your passport or other photo ID and cruise ship boarding pass on hand, so even if your suitcase misses the boat, you can get onboard. Make sure you have the correct type of identification, as cruiser newbies have been turned away from the pier for having just a copy of their birth certificate (and not the required original) or a passport with a name that doesn’t match the one on the ship’s manifest (often in the case of a honeymoon cruise). Also, remember to acquire any necessary visas and immunizations necessary for your cruising region and carry them with you, too.

Seek the Gays: Although, we always travel with gay groups, there are always people in the group that don’t know each other and gays on the ship we haven’t met yet. We hold a meet and greet almost immediately upon boarding the ship. However, many cruise lines hold a “friends of Dorothy” meet and greet for every LGBT/LGBT friendly persons traveling on the ship at one of their bars. If you don’t see that contact a member of the director’s staff so you can attend and make friends from the start.

Eat Late: We always request the late dinner seating on the ship. Really for two reasons, first by the time we get back to our cabin from our shore excursion or hanging at the pool we need to time to get dressed. Sorry, but queens can take a while. Secondly, there are less families and children at that time. Makes for a peaceful dinner, I think.

Tipping: Crewmembers are great and give good customer service. However, they make very little money. I always encourage our group to tip the bartenders, your cabin steward, and waiters. If you get to know these people on a personal basis they will know that you expect and will reward excellent customer service.

Drink specials: This is my Extreme Couponing tip. I love that show and love to get a good deal whenever I can. Everyday while you are on board the ship they will have a specialty cocktail for that day. It will be on the daily ship news you receive in your stateroom or you can ask any bartender. The specialty cocktail is a daily highlighted drink special. If you love wine, buying wine by the bottle instead of by the glass will save you money. If you have a bottle at dinner and don’t finish it they will have the bottle waiting for you at your next dinner. Some ships even have wine and martini tastings.

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